Culture

A Musical Wonderland: AHS Presents “ALICE*”

Theater audiences will take a trip down the rabbit hole this weekend with Athens High School's production of ALICE*, a musical twist on the Lewis Carroll classic.

The high school is participating in Project Center Stage 2012, an online program that links schools from around the country, allowing students to chat and work with other students on the same production.

Christina Beck has been doing marketing and publicity for the AHS production. She sees this as an unique opportunity for the students.

"This production of ALICE* enables our students to share their work with others beyond Athens," she said. "Center Stage also provides them with a chance to learn by witnessing how others performed the same material."

The show, directed Carol Patterson, is also special in its own way, with a strong focus on the minor characters, not just Alice and her travails. Many of the characters have their own musical numbers, which appeals to senior Chelsea Pangburn, who plays the titular character.

"This musical was set up in a way so that in each scene where Alice meets a new character, she sort of becomes the secondary character, while the minor character shines," she said. "I’ve come to really like this aspect of the show, and it makes each scene very unique."

Fifty parents, teachers and students have had a hand in bringing this production to the stage. With all the work put into the show, Pangburn says that the audience is in for a treat.

"The audience can definitely expect to be entertained," she said. "The show is fun, upbeat, and features an amazing amount of talent all across the board."

ALICE* opens on Friday, April 13 at 7 p.m. in the Athens High School Auditorium, with additional shows on Saturday, April 14 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, April 15 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for children, and may be purchased at the door. Call (740) 591-7499 for more information.